As much as we all love summer (and are going to miss the pool parties)… Welcome Fall! Megan Schinella from Camp by MaMa rounded up the absolute best fall road trips to add to your list. Between pumpkin patches, apple picking, hayrides, and corn mazes, you and your family will have plenty of ways to stay busy in the weeks ahead!
Boo at the Zoo
Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY
The annual Halloween tradition is back… and they’ve added more spooky fun that’s ideal for all ages. Lots of fun activities, come dressed in your Halloween best, and enjoy. Weekends, September 28 – November 3, including Monday Oct 14 for Columbus Day!
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Van Cortlandt Manor
525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Meander through an 18th-century landscape and discover a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns. All designed and hand-carved on site by their team of artisans. Tour the brand-new Museum of Pumpkin Art, where classic paintings get the gourd treatment, see who let the (pumpkin) dogs out, listen for the Headless Horseman and watch out for swooping jack o’lantern bats. See the Pumpkin Carousel twirl and the Pumpkin Windmill whirl and step inside the Pumpkin Planetarium for a star show like you’ve never seen. The dates are September 20 – 22, 26 – 29, October 3 – 31, November 1 – 3, 8 – 10, 15 – 17, 22 – 23, 29 – 30! Get your tickets online… this one sells out FAST!
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY
A family owned and operated apple orchard. Festival dates are every weekend in September and October, as well as 9/30, 10/1, 10/9, 10/14. Festival hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and store hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The orchard and pumpkin patch close at 4:30 p.m.
Pumpkintown USA
PAUL’S and SANDY’S too, Inc.
93 E High St, East Hampton, CT
Connecticut’s premier non-scary fall destination. Imagine going back in time and touring an old town with a saloon, a barber shop, a post office, a fire department, a general store, a church, a jail, and more. But the catch is this town is occupied by pumpkin people. Open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., weather permitting, from mid-September through Halloween.
Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (inside the Park)
110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
Celebrate Halloween in Central Park. Enjoy pumpkin carving, crafts, spooky stories, a costume parade, a festive pumpkin patch, and the Conservancy’s signature Pumpkin Flotilla, which sets sail across the Harlem Meer at twilight. This event is FREE and open to all ages. October 30, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Spooky Pumpkin Garden
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY
See scarecrows in the garden and join kid’s activities. Weekends add creepy creatures like bats and reptiles plus pumpkin-carving demonstrations. Closed Mondays except October 14 for Columbus Day. Saturday, September 21 – Thursday, October 3, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Harvest Festival
Randall’s Island Park
20 Randalls Island Park, New York, NY
Join Randall’s Island Park Alliance for a free, family-friendly celebration of fall! On Sunday, October 6, noon – 4 p.m. The location is Fields 62 & 63 and the urban farm activities and live musical.
Fall Foliage Views
Gillette Castle State Park
67 River Rd, East Haddam, CT
The fall foliage views in Connecticut when autumn rolls around are beautiful. Gillette Castle State Park is a stand out location for viewing! Bring a picnic and blanket!
Lyman Orchards
32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT
A great destination for family fun with pick-your-own apples, locally sourced food, handmade pies, corn maze, and apple barrel market.
Salem Heritage Trail
Essex Street, Salem, MA
Salem’s red line on the ground is the Heritage Trail, and it connects all of Salem’s main sites. Navigate your way through Salem and America’s history with the Heritage Trail map.
Hope these fun activities help make it a happy fall for the whole family!